Endorsements: Gunderson, Lauf, Nagel, Saake for Dist. 94 board

Including efforts to improve disappointing test scores, contract talks with two unions and shepherding in a new superintendent, the future for West Chicago High School District 94 is filled with challenges. Voters next month will elect four school board members to help lead the way. They'll choose from a capable field that includes three incumbents -- Dirk Gunderson, Rich Nagel and Gary Saake -- and newcomers Christy Lauf, Mike Wheeland and Renee Yackey. Saake, a former board treasurer, impresses with his understanding of district finances and ideas about measuring student achievement. He is endorsed, as is Gunderson, who is on the right track with his ideas about getting parents more engaged in the education of their children. Nagel, too, deserves to return based on his experience as a 20-year incumbent and long record of commitment to Community High School. Each of the newcomers has the ability to effectively serve, but Lauf is especially appealing for her take on the high school's technological needs and her willingness to take a critical look at administrative costs.

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